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Congratulations to all the organizations who were awarded Round Two funding under the Challenge! See full list here.

“Our Bay, Our Forested Streams, Our Children’s Future”

Marylandís Stream Restoration Challenge is a competitive grant program open to local governments and non-government organizations to establish 1,000 acres of stream-side forests by 2015. For the challenge, the State and its partners made $6 million available to plant forested stream buffers with the goals of improving Bay water quality and creating opportunities for middle and high school students to engage in service-learning and environmental literacy activities. $2 million dollars was awarded through the first round of funding. The remaining $4 million will be awarded to projects that begin after September 2, 2013 and will plant in fall 2013, spring 2014, and/or fall 2014.

Geographic Targeting

For this initiative, Applicants are asked to use the StreamHealth website to identify specific stream segments that would benefit the most from forested buffer plantings based on the Maryland Biological Stream Survey. These specific stream segments should be cross referenced with the Trust Fund Priority areas in order to identify the most beneficial restoration sites. All are encouraged to apply, however proposals that include restoration projects located in the watersheds that would result in the greatest reduction in nutrient and sediment loads delivered to the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay will receive priority.

On the StreamHealth Map, the "Public Schools" and "Stream Reaches" layers are turned on in the initial view. Please zoom in to view these layers since they are not available in the statewide view.

Community Engagement and Environmental Education

Stream restoration projects offer unique experiential opportunities to engage school students and other citizens (i.e. watershed and community organizations, scout troops, faith-based organizations, businesses) in Chesapeake and Coastal Bay protection. Projects funded will engage and educate students and other citizens to promote an understanding of watershed issues and establish positive attitudes and behaviors that benefit local watersheds. Proposals that engage middle and high school students in earning Service Learning hours and align with the current State curriculum and learning standards will receive higher scores. To extend the reach of the challenge and promote community participation, urban communities that do not have available stream buffer opportunities may propose urban greening projects (i.e. greening of vacant urban lots, urban tree canopy, bioretention, bioswales, floating wetlands), which will be evaluated based on the potential environmental impact.

Partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation has partnered with the State to maximize the impact and scale of the forested stream buffers and reforestation efforts in Maryland. The Foundation, their members, and partners work nationwide to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. The Foundation is supporting the work of our State Foresters and the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery to ensure that seedlings are available for these necessary restoration efforts that protect the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays. Please contact the State Forest Tree Nursery (1-800-TREES-MD) to discuss your seedling stock needs.

Grant Program Timeline

Eligibility

Through this RFP, the State and its Partners are soliciting proposals from local governments and non-governmental organizations, including bi-county agencies, counties, municipalities, forest conservancy district boards, soil conservation districts, faith-based organizations, and academic institutions, including school systems (collectively, “Applicants”).

Technical Assistance

For questions about the RFP and to gain technical assistance, please contact:
Gabe Coheegcohee@dnr.state.md.us
410.260.8753

For further assistance with educational components and connecting with school groups, please contact:

Connect with other organizations involved, ask questions, and gain support by joining the conversation on Facebook.

Watershed Assistance Collaborative (WAC)

Communities interested in undertaking comprehensive watershed protection and restoration activities are encouraged to take advantage of the services offered through this partnership. The Collaborative offers the tools, resources and outreach needed to work toward large nonpoint source pollution implementation and restoration efforts.